Retired mechanic Barry Crawford took his own life - just days after going on trial charged with a catalogue of alleged sex offences.

The 75-year-old was found hanged at his Meir home on the morning of Tuesday, October 30.

He had been on trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court since October 23 after pleading not guilty to four counts of child cruelty, two counts of attempted rape, 12 counts of indecent assault, two counts of assault and eight counts of rape.

An inquest heard yesterday that Mr Crawford had told his son - Barry Darren Crawford - on October 27 that he 'could not face going to court'. Mr Crawford found his dad's body at the Brookwood Drive property.

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Barry Darren Crawford told the inquest: "He was really worried about court and said that he couldn't face going there and that worried me a bit. It must have been really concerning him.

"When I called his phone on October 30 and he didn't answer I knew something was wrong because he was always so punctual. So I went round to his house.

"I forced the door open and that was when I found him. I saw a message on his phone that he had tried to send to me saying that there was £800 in his wallet and that he loved me.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court

"It's been traumatic, I'm heartbroken, my dad was all that I had."

The inquest was held at North Staffordshire Coroners' Court, in Hartshill.

Recording a suicide conclusion, Assistant Coroner Sarah Murphy said: "He was suffering a low mood due to facing criminal proceedings and couldn't face going to court. It was a deliberate act to end his life, he intended to end his life."

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Mr Crawford was on trial alongside co-accused George Davies. The 64-year-old, of Beaconsfield Drive, Blurton, was last month convicted of six counts of indecent assault and will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in February.